Kidney Stone Treatment in Spain for Expats & Tourists
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)
Renal colic assessed by video with an English-speaking GP in Spain.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera
Licence No. 484814280 · Urgent, non-emergency care
Common Symptoms
Kidney stone pain while travelling can be extremely distressing, especially if you need clear advice in English and do not know whether it is safe to manage symptoms or whether you need emergency care. Kidney stones may cause:
- Sudden flank pain
- Pain radiating to the groin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary urgency
- Restlessness from severe pain
- Pain that comes in waves
Renal colic is often intensely painful. Some cases can be managed conservatively with close follow-up, but infected obstruction or uncontrolled pain requires urgent hospital care.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
How We Treat It
The doctor will assess pain severity, fever, vomiting, urine symptoms, solitary kidney history, pregnancy possibility, prior stones, and your ability to keep fluids and medication down. Care may include:
- Immediate, adequate analgesia, with paracetamol and NSAIDs as first-line options in appropriate patients
- Observation with follow-up in uncomplicated cases
- Consideration of medical expulsive therapy for selected ureteric stones, depending on size and location
- Urgent referral for suspected infected obstruction, which requires decompression and antibiotics
Telemedicine is appropriate for triage and early planning, but not for suspected infected obstruction, which requires urgent hospital care.
Clinical Evaluation & Evidence-Based Protocol for Kidney Stone Treatment
During a telemedicine consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera (licensed medical practitioner No. 484814280 at the Official Medical College of Bizkaia), clinical evaluation adheres strictly to evidence-based medical (EBM) standards. The doctor conducts a thorough history, evaluating symptom duration, aggravating factors, prior treatments, and drug allergies to establish an accurate differential diagnosis.
Private Electronic Prescriptions (Receta Médica) Issued Under Spanish Law
When clinically indicated, Dr. Yelamo issues a private electronic prescription (Receta Médica Electrónica Privada) under Spanish law. The digital prescription contains a secure QR verification code accepted at all 22,000+ registered community pharmacies across Spain for immediate medication dispensing.
Itemized Invoices for Travel & Private Health Insurance Reimbursement
After your consultation, you receive an official medical report and an itemized invoice. The invoice shows Dr. Yelamo's licence details and tax ID. You can send it to your travel or private health insurer (such as Bupa, Allianz, Cigna, AXA or a US travel policy) to claim the cost back.
Preparing for Your Online Medical Consultation
Before your appointment, note when your symptoms started and any medicines you have already tried. Have your allergies and your usual prescriptions to hand. For a skin, rash or eye problem, sit in a well-lit room so the doctor can see it clearly.
Clinical Follow-Up & When In-Person Urgencias Are Necessary
Video care works well for common infections, mild sudden symptoms, skin rashes and repeat prescriptions. Some warning signs need emergency care in person: severe shortness of breath, a high fever you cannot bring down, chest pain or a stiff neck. If you have any of them, call 112 in Spain straight away.
When to Seek Immediate In-Person Care
Seek urgent medical attention if you have:
- Fever or chills with stone-type pain
- Vomiting that prevents fluids or medication from staying down
- Uncontrolled pain
- A single kidney or known severe kidney disease
- Anuria or markedly reduced urine output
- Pregnancy with suspected stone pain
- Confusion, collapse, or severe weakness
Frequently asked questions
Can kidney stones be treated online in Spain?
Initial assessment can start online, but many patients need imaging, urine testing, or urgent in-person management depending on pain and complication risk.
When is a kidney stone dangerous?
It becomes urgent if there is fever, concern for sepsis, inability to pass urine, severe uncontrolled pain, or persistent vomiting.
Do all stones need surgery?
No. Some small stones pass spontaneously, while others need procedural treatment depending on size, location, obstruction, infection, and symptom burden.
Online consultations are for urgent, non-emergency care. In a medical emergency call 112 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
Every day · 07:30–20:30One named doctor, from first call to follow-up
Book a secure 15-minute video consultation with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera for €50. Appointments every day, 07:30–20:30 (Spain time). For urgent, non-emergency care; in an emergency, call 112.
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